Building load structure

ABSTRACT

A plurality of each including each including spaced upper and lower chords and horizontal chords interconnecting truss chords, interconnecting the chords, at least one supported at one the by a being supported at connections at the end by of said one supporting column, beams for rigidly connecting said other other end of said one another horizontally beams beam, the rigidly connecting pairs of plate like connector end to an end of another horizontally extending beam, the connections including pairs of plate-like connector elements.

United States Patent [191 Ellisonjet al.

[451 Apr. 17, 1973 BUILDING LOAD STRUCTURE 3,583,121 6 1971 Tate ..52/648 Inventors: Paul E. Em Bloomington; 3,638,891 2/1972 Schlosaer ..52/649 Richard K S Louis Park, FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS both of Minn.

, 1,059,018 6/1959 Germany ..287/189.36C [73] Assignee: Dunham Asociates, In, South 206,827 3/1925 Great Britain. .....52/726 Minneapolis, Minn. 424,163 5/1967 Switzerland ..52/665 [22] Filed: 1972 Primary Examiner-Henry C. Sutherland 21 AWL 222,543 Attorney-Ralph F. Merchant et all.

[52] US Cl 52/648 52/126 52/645 [57] CT 52/635 287/i8936 5 A plur ality of each including each including spaced 51 1111. C1. 170411 12/00 and duds and chmds 58] Field of Search .sz/z s 126 645 immmwfing chmds 52/122 646 648 651 665: at least one supported at one the by a being supported 287718936 6 at connections at the end by of said one supporting column, beams/for rigidly connecting said other other end of said one another horizontally beam, the [56] References Cited rigidly connecting pairs of plate like connectorend to VUNITED STATES PATENTS an end of another horizontally extending beam, the

connections including pain of p1ate-1ike connector 2,744,590 5/1956 Butts ..s2/64s m 3,153,299 10/1964 Jennings.... ..52/648 3,477,189 11/1969 Merson ..5 2/665 15 Chins, 10 Drawing 3:9

3:- r 40 1 j I I 1 s a i 27 3/ 33 a 33 29 z; z 40 In 42 PATENTED APR I 71875 SHEET '4 BF 4 This invention relates to beam structure for supporting roofs, floors or like generally horizontally extended loads, and involves a grid or grill-like arrangement of similar beams, supporting means for the beams, and novel means for connecting adjacent beams together at adjacent ends thereof to provide the grid arrangement. The beams each include vertically spaced generally parallel top and bottom chords and interconnecting truss work between the chords, the chords terminating in longitudinally outwardlyprojecting tongue elements that are each sandwiched between a pair of the platelike connector elements, there being independent pairs of the connector elements for the upper and lower tongue elements. Each pair of connector elements is provided with aligned central openings for reception of a respective nut equipped clamping screw. The tongue and connector elements are provided with bosses and boss receiving openings by means of which adjacent beams and pairs of connector elements are rigidly locked together against movements to each other in any direction when the connector elements of each pair thereof are tightly clamped over their respective tongues by their respective clamping screws.

A given plurality of the beams have inner ends rigidly secured to a mounting member that is vertically slidably mounted on a rigid vertical supporting column. Means is provided for locking the mounting member against vertical movements on the column at a desired elevation thereon. With this arrangement, a desired number of beams can be secured to the above-mentioned given plurality of beams and to each other to provide a grid of beams of desired size. This assembly may be made at ground or floor level. The entire assembly may be then raised to the desired level or elevation on the column, by means of jacks or other suitable lifting gear, and locked at said elevation. Each beam is symmetrical, so that the same may be inverted; and, with the exception of those that are welded to a mounting member, may be turned end for end in the grid assembly.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a fragmentary view in plan of a structural load bearing grid assembly produced in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary view in side elevation of one of the beams of this invention, some parts being broken away and some parts being shown in section;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary exploded perspective of a plurality of beams and connector means therefor;

vFIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view in top plan of the beams of FIG. 3 in assembled relationship;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary section taken on the line 5- 5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a view in perspective of a primary support assembly of this invention, some parts being broken away and some parts being shown in section;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary view in top plan of a secondary support assembly and beams connected thereto;

FIG. 8 is a view in exploded perspective of the secondary support assembly of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a view corresponding to FIG. 7 but showing a corner support arrangement; and

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary section takensubstantially on the line 10-10 of FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION In FIG. 1, a structural bay is shown fragmentarily as including a primary support assembly A a secondary support assembly B, and a plurality of other secondary support assemblies C. The primary and secondary support assemblies A-C are connected by a grid or grill arrangement of horizontally extended beams D and E, the beams D and E being substantially identical in structure, except that the beams D are substantially heavier and stronger than the beams E.

The primary support assembly A comprises a flat base member 1 that is rigidly secured, by welding or similar means, to the lower end of an elongated vertical tubular column 2. The base member 1 is adapted to be rigidly secured to a floor or other suitable foundation, not shown, the column 2 having one or more openings 3 extending diametrically therethrough. A mounting member in the nature of an elongated tubular collar or sleeve 4 encompasses the column 2 and is axially slidable thereon, the collar 4 having an opening 5 extending therethrough for reception of a locking pin or the like 6. The openings 3 in the column 2 are disposed in predetermined upwardly spaced relationship to the base member 1, the locking or anchoring pin 6 being adapted to extend through the opening 5 and one of the openings 3 aligned therewith to hold the collar 4 in predetermined upwardly spaced relation to the base member 1. The primary support assembly A further includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced horizontal beams 7 projecting radially outwardly from the collar,4. For the purpose of the present example, the beams 7 are shown as being four in number and arranged in diametrically opposed pairs of beams, the pairs being normal to each other. Each of the beams 7 comprises vertically spaced generally horizontal top and bottom chords 8 and 9 respectively, and intermediate truss work including upper and lower zigzag members 10 and 11 respectively. The channels 8 and 9 are identical in structure and are welded at their inner ends to the upper and lower ends respectively of the collar 4, the channels defined by the upper top chord 8 opening upwardly, the channels defined by the bottom chord 9 opening downwardly. The zigzag truss work members 10 and 11 are welded together, as indicated at 12, to define quadrangular openings 13. The zigzag members 10 and l l are further welded at their opposite ends 14 to their respective top and bottom chords 8 and 9 and further welded to their respective chords, intermediate their ends, as indicated at 15, the zigzag members 10 and 11 cooperating with their respective chords 8 and 9 to define generally triangular openings 16. At its outer end, each chord 8 and 9 is provided with a longitudinally outwardly projecting tongue element 17 each tongue element having aligned transverse bosses 18 projecting transversely outwardly from opposite sides thereof, the bosses 18 of the top chords 8 being aligned with the bosses 18 on their respective bottom chords 9. In the embodiment illustrated, the tongue elements 17 includes re-enforcing plate elements l9 welded or otherwise rigidly secured 'within the channel portions of their respective chords 8 and 9.

The beams D and E are similar to the beams 7, the beams D and E differing from the beams 7 in the shape of the top and bottom chords thereof. Whereas the top and bottom chords 8 and 9 are tapered in a direction radially outwardly from the mounting collar 4, the

chords of the beams D and E have parallel sides. Further, the opposite ends of the chords of the beams D and E are similar to the radially outer ends only of the chords 8 and 9 of the beams 7. Except for weight or thickness of material and width of top and bottom chords, the beams D and E are substantially identical in structure each thereof having top chords 20 and bottom chords 21 and truss work including upper and lower zigzag members 22 and 23 respectively. Like the chords 8 and 9, the top chords 20 define upwardly opening channels, the bottom chords 21 defining downwardly opening channels. The zigzag members 22 are welded to the zigzag members 23 as indicated at 24 in the same manner as the zigzag members and 11, the members 22 and 23 being welded at their opposite ends 25 to adjacent end portions of the top and bottom chords and 21, and intermediate their ends to their respective top and bottom chords 20 and 21 as indicated at 26. The top and bottom chords 20 and 21 are provided with longitudinally outwardly projecting reinforced tongues 27 each having aligned upwardly and downwardly projecting bosses 28, the bosses 28 on each end of the top chord 20 being axially aligned with the bosses 28 on the same end of the bottom chord 21.

Means for rigidly connecting various beams D and E together, and for connecting some of the beams D to the outer ends of the beams 7 to provide the grid arrangement of FIG. 1, comprises a plurality of pairs of plate-like connector elements 29 and cooperating clamping nut equipped screws 30. The connector elements.29 are generally cross shaped, having diametrically opposed rounded lobes 31. In the form of clamping elements illustrated, the lobes of each clamping element 29 are shown as being four in number. Each clamping element 29 is provided with a central transverse opening 32 therethrough and a plurality of circumferentially spaced transverse apertures 33 therethrough, each of the apertures 33 being disposed in a different one of the lobes 31. As shown, the tongue elements 17 of the beams 7, as well as the tongue elements 27 of the beams D and E are sandwiched between the connector or clamping elements 29 of each pair thereof with the bosses 18 or 28 being received in adjacent ones of the apertures 33. As shown in FIG. 5, the screws 30 extend through the central openings 32 of the connector elements 29; and when the clamping nuts thereof, indicated at 34, are tightened on their respective screws 30, the tongues 17 and 27 become securely clamped between the connector elements 29, and the adjacent beams 7, D or E are rigidly locked against movement relative to each other.

As indicated in FIG. 1, the areas of greatest stress in the grid arrangement are at the primary supp'ortassembly A and the secondary support assemblies B and C. As shown, the heavier and stronger beams D are used in given rows between the primary support assembly A and the secondary support assembly B as well as in the vicinity of the primary support assembly A. The lighter beams E are used between the secondary support assemblies and in areas of lesser stress determined by the intended load to be placed upon the grid arrangement.

A secondary support assembly B, shown particularly in FIGS. 9 and 10, includes a pair of like vertical columns 35, preferably cross-sectionally rectangular,

and projecting upwardly from base plates ;36 that are adapted to be fastened on a floor or suitable foundation, not shown. A pair of elongated channel members 37 each partially encompasses and is longitudinally slidable on a different one of the columns 35, and are each provided adjacent its upper and lower ends with a horizontally outwardly projecting tongue 38 having axially aligned transverse bosses 39 thereon for reception in apertures 33 of connector elements 29. As shown in FIGS. 8-10, the columns 35 and channel members 37 are provided with alignable transverse openings 40 and 41 respectively, the openings 40 being upwardly spaced from the base plates 36 a predetermined distance, aligned ones of the openings 40 and 41 receiving locking pins 42 for supporting the channel members 37 and adjacent beams D. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the tongues 38 of the channel members 37 are sandwiched between adjacent lobes 31 of the connector elements 29 clamped thereover by their respective screws 30 and clamping nuts 34. As shown in FIGS. 1, 9 and 10, a pair of supporting columns 35 are utilized to support one corner of a bay at the outer limits thereof.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 7, it will be seen that the secondary support assemblies C each comprise a single column 35 with its cooperating channel member 37, most of the secondary support assemblies C including a pair of beams E in end to end relationship and the adjacent end of a third beam E disposed at a generally right angle thereto. Some of the secondary support assemblies include a pair of the lighter weight beams E in end to end relationship and a relatively heavier beam disposed at a generally right angle thereto, as indicated at F in FIG. 1.

In erecting the load supporting structure of this invention, columns 2 and 35 are placed at predetermined points on the floor or foundation, with the column or columns 2 having their respective collars '4 and beams 7 mounted thereon. Preferably, the column or columns 2 are set in place with the collars 4 and respective beams 7 disposed at ground level or resting on their respective base members 1. The several beams D and E are assembled to each other, to the beams 7, and to the several mounting channel members 37, by means of the connector elements 29. After the grid arrangement has been assembled at substantially ground level, the entire assembly is raised to the desired height above ground level by jacks or other suitable hoisting means, not shown, and the pins 6 and 42 inserted into their respective openings 3, 5, and 40, 41. The connection between the collars 4 and their respective columns 2 as well as the connections between the channel members 37 and their respective columns 35 are made permanent by welding or the like.

With reference to FIGS. 3, 4, and 6-9, it will be seen that the several tongue elements 17, 27 and 38 have mitered corner portions 43. The mitered corners 43 of each of the beams 7, D and E abut corresponding corners of adjacent beams when the beams are connected in the grid arrangement shown, to aid in holding the beams rigidly in the predetermined arrangement. The symmetrical form of the beams D and E permits the beams to be turned end forend or inverted, so that errors in assembly may be reduced to a minimum. Further, the simplicity of connection between the beams 7, D and E and between the beams D and E and the channel members 37 permits the entire assembly to be easily accomplished by a single worker needing only a wrench to assemble the beams together. The design of the beams permits of substantial rigidity and strength with relatively light weight, and makes possible a very shallow structure for a given span, the design of the beams making for ease of manufacture and transport to a building site.

it will be appreciated that, in instances where the bays are not too extensive in area, the heavier beams D at some portions of each bay may be replaced by the lighter weight beams E, particularly near supporting wall structures. In any event, choice of the beams used in a given structure is dictated by the load to be applied to various areas of the structure.

While we have shown and described a preferred embodiment of our load supporting structure, it will be understood that the same is capable of modification without departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Load supporting structure comprising:

a. a pair of beams disposed in end to end relationship and each including vertically spaced parallel top and bottom chords and truss work interconncctin said chords; I

b. supporting means for supporting one of said beams at one end thereof in upwardly spaced relationship to the ground;

c. and connecting means between the other end of said one of the beams'and an end of-the other one of said beams, for rigidly connecting said beams in said end to end relationship, said connecting means including;

1. upper and lower tongue elements extending longitudinally outwardly from the top and bottom chords respectively of each of said beams at the adjacent ends thereof,

2. upper and lower pairs of plate-like connector elements for said top and bottom chords respectively,

3. the connector elements of each pair thereof being disposed to sandwich their respective tongue element therebetween,

nector elements having interconnecting portions locking said beams together against relative longitudinal and lateral movements,

5. and means for clamping each'tongue element between its respective connector elements independently of the other of said tongue elements to rigidly lock said beams together against movements relative to each other in all directions.

2. The load supporting structure defined in claim 1 in which said interconnecting portions comprise a boss on one of said elements having an axis transversely of said beams, and an opening in the other of said elements for reception of said boss.

3. The load supporting structure defined in claim 1 in which said interconnecting portions comprises pairs of aligned bosses projecting from opposite sides of each of said tongues, and laterally spaced openings in each of said connector elements for snug reception of said bosses, the connector elements of each pair thereof said tongue elements and their respective conr having aligned apertures therethrough, said means for clamping the tongues between their respective connector elements comprising clamping screws extending through said aligned aperture.

4. The load supporting structure: defined in claim 1 in which said top and bottom chords respectively define elongated upwardly and downwardly opening channels, said truss work comprising a pair of cooperating zigzag members for each beam, said zigzag members being connected together to define quadrangular openings therebetween and to said cords to define triangular openings between the chords and truss work.

5. The load supporting structure defined in claim 4 in which said channels are of relatively wide transverse dimension, said truss work having a relatively narrow transverse dimension.

6. The load supporting structure defined in claim 1 in which said supporting means comprises a rigid vertical column having means at its lower end for anchoring to a foundation, and a vertically elongated member vertically movable on said column and having means on opposite end thereof for connection to said top and bottom chords of said one of the beams at said one end thereof.

7. The load supporting structure defined in claim 6 in which said column and elongated member have transverse openings alignable responsive to predetermined positioning of said elongated member longitudinally of said column, said supporting means further including a holding pin extending through said transverse openings when the same are axially aligned.

8. The load supporting structure defined in claim 7 in which said elongated member comprises a collar slidably encompassing said column, said openings extending diametrically through said column and collar.

9. The load supporting structure defined in claim 7 in which said column is cross-sectionally rectangular, said elongated member defining an elongated channel for longitudinal sliding reception of at least a portion of said column transversely thereof.

10. The load supporting structure defined in claim 1 in which said top and bottom chords are of like crosssection, respectively defining upwardly and downwardly opening longitudinal channels, said top and bottom chords having like tongue elements at their opposite ends, whereby each of said beams may be inverted and reversed end for end relative to an adjoining beam.

l 1. Load supporting structure comprising:

a. a generally vertically disposed rigid column;

b. a plurality of circumferentially spaced horizontal beams projecting radially outwardly of said column;

c. said beams each including vertically spaced top and bottom chords and truss work interconnecting said chords, said chords having inner and outer ends;

d. beam mounting means longitudinally slidably engaging said column;

e. said inner ends of the chords being rigidly connected to longitudinally spaced portions of said beam mounting means to dispose said beams in vertical planes;

f. a plurality of other beams similar to said first mentioned beams and including top and bottom chords and truss work interconnecting the chords;

g. connecting means on said outer ends of each of said, first mentioned top and bottom chords for connecting each top and bottom chord to adjacent ends of top and bottom chords respectively of said other beams, the arrangement providing a grid of interconnecting beams adjacent said column;

h. and means for releasably locking said beam mounting means to said column at a predetermined level above the lower end of the column.

12. The load supporting structure defined in claim 11 in which said column is cross-sectionally generally circular, said beam mounting means comprising an elongated tubular collar surrounding said column.

13. The load supporting structure defined in claim 1 l in which said connecting means comprises upper and lower tongue elements extending outwardly from said top and bottom chords and independent upper and lower pairs of connector elements for the upper and lower tongue elements respectively, each tongue element being sandwiched between its respective pair of connector elements, the tongue elements and their respective connector elements having interconnecting portions locking the beams together against relative longitudinal and lateral movements, and means for clamping each tongue element between its respective connector elements independently of the others of said tongues to rigidly lock the beams together against movement relative to each other in all directions.

14. The load supporting structure defined in claim 13 in which said interconnecting portions of each tongue element and its respective pair of connector elements comprise a transverse boss on the tongue element and a transverse boss receiving opening in at least one of the connector elements.

15. The load supporting structure defined in claim 13 characterized by a second vertically disposed rigid column, a mounting member longitudinally slidable on said second column and having means for locking the same to said column against vertical movement thereon, and vertically spaced beam mounting means on said mounting member for connection to pairs of said connector elements whereby to connect an end of a given one of said beams to said second column in spaced relationship to said first mentioned column. 

1. Load supporting structure comprising: a. a pair of beams disposed in end to end relationship and each including vertically spaced parallel top and bottom chords and truss Work interconnecting said chords; b. supporting means for supporting one of said beams at one end thereof in upwardly spaced relationship to the ground; c. and connecting means between the other end of said one of the beams and an end of the other one of said beams, for rigidly connecting said beams in said end to end relationship, said connecting means including;
 1. upper and lower tongue elements extending longitudinally outwardly from the top and bottom chords respectively of each of said beams at the adjacent ends thereof,
 2. upper and lower pairs of plate-like connector elements for said top and bottom chords respectively,
 3. the connector elements of each pair thereof being disposed to sandwich their respective tongue element therebetween,
 4. said tongue elements and their respective connector elements having interconnecting portions locking said beams together against relative longitudinal and lateral movements,
 5. and means for clamping each tongue element between its respective connector elements independently of the other of said tongue elements to rigidly lock said beams together against movements relative to each other in all directions.
 2. upper and lower pairs of plate-like connector elements for said top and bottom chords respectively,
 2. The load supporting structure defined in claim 1 in which said interconnecting portions comprise a boss on one of said elements having an axis transversely of said beams, and an opening in the other of said elements for reception of said boss.
 3. The load supporting structure defined in claim 1 in which said interconnecting portions comprises pairs of aligned bosses projecting from opposite sides of each of said tongues, and laterally spaced openings in each of said connector elements for snug reception of said bosses, the connector elements of each pair thereof having aligned apertures therethrough, said means for clamping the tongues between their respective connector elements comprising clamping screws extending through said aligned aperture.
 3. the connector elements of each pair thereof being disposed to sandwich their respective tongue element therebetween,
 4. said tongue elements and their respective connector elements having interconnecting portions locking said beams together against relative longitudinal and lateral movements,
 4. The load supporting structure defined in claim 1 in which said top and bottom chords respectively define elongated upwardly and downwardly opening channels, said truss work comprising a pair of cooperating zigzag members for each beam, said zigzag members being connected together to define quadrangular openings therebetween and to said cords to define triangular openings between the chords and truss work.
 5. The load supporting structure defined in claim 4 in which said channels are of relatively wide transverse dimension, said truss work having a relatively narrow transverse dimension.
 5. and means for clamping each tongue element between its respective connector elements independently of the other of said tongue elements to rigidly lock said beams together against movements relative to each other in all directions.
 6. The load supporting structure defined in claim 1 in which said supporting means comprises a rigid vertical column having means at its lower end for anchoring to a foundation, and a vertically elongated member vertically movable on said column and having means on opposite ends thereof for connection to said top and bottom chords of said one of the beams at said one end thereof.
 7. The load supporting structure defined in claim 6 in which said column and elongated member have transverse openings alignable responsive to predetermined positioning of said elongated member longitudinally of said column, said supporting means further including a holding pin extending through said transverse openings when the same are axially aligned.
 8. The load supporting structure defined in claim 7 in which said elongated member comprises a collar slidably encompassing said column, said openings extending diametrically through said column and collar.
 9. The load supporting structure defined in claim 7 in which said column is cross-sectionally rectangular, said elongated member defining an elongated channel for longitudinal sliding reception of at least a portion of said column transversely thereof.
 10. The load supporting structure defined in claim 1 in which said top and bottom chords are of like cross-section, respectively defining upwardly and downwardly opening longitudinal channels, said top and bottom chords having like tongue eLements at their opposite ends, whereby each of said beams may be inverted and reversed end for end relative to an adjoining beam.
 11. Load supporting structure comprising: a. a generally vertically disposed rigid column; b. a plurality of circumferentially spaced horizontal beams projecting radially outwardly of said column; c. said beams each including vertically spaced top and bottom chords and truss work interconnecting said chords, said chords having inner and outer ends; d. beam mounting means longitudinally slidably engaging said column; e. said inner ends of the chords being rigidly connected to longitudinally spaced portions of said beam mounting means to dispose said beams in vertical planes; f. a plurality of other beams similar to said first mentioned beams and including top and bottom chords and truss work interconnecting the chords; g. connecting means on said outer ends of each of said first mentioned top and bottom chords for connecting each top and bottom chord to adjacent ends of top and bottom chords respectively of said other beams, the arrangement providing a grid of interconnecting beams adjacent said column; h. and means for releasably locking said beam mounting means to said column at a predetermined level above the lower end of the column.
 12. The load supporting structure defined in claim 11 in which said column is cross-sectionally generally circular, said beam mounting means comprising an elongated tubular collar surrounding said column.
 13. The load supporting structure defined in claim 11 in which said connecting means comprises upper and lower tongue elements extending outwardly from said top and bottom chords and independent upper and lower pairs of connector elements for the upper and lower tongue elements respectively, each tongue element being sandwiched between its respective pair of connector elements, the tongue elements and their respective connector elements having interconnecting portions locking the beams together against relative longitudinal and lateral movements, and means for clamping each tongue element between its respective connector elements independently of the others of said tongues to rigidly lock the beams together against movement relative to each other in all directions.
 14. The load supporting structure defined in claim 13 in which said interconnecting portions of each tongue element and its respective pair of connector elements comprise a transverse boss on the tongue element and a transverse boss receiving opening in at least one of the connector elements.
 15. The load supporting structure defined in claim 13 characterized by a second vertically disposed rigid column, a mounting member longitudinally slidable on said second column and having means for locking the same to said column against vertical movement thereon, and vertically spaced beam mounting means on said mounting member for connection to pairs of said connector elements whereby to connect an end of a given one of said beams to said second column in spaced relationship to said first mentioned column. 